GREENSBORO, N.C. - With one runner qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships and two student-athletes advancing to the quarterfinals of their events on Thursday, Columbia has put together a solid opening day of the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships East Preliminary Round at North Carolina A&T.

Senior Mike Murphy highlighted the day with a strong performance in the men’s 10,000m run. Murphy punched his ticket to Eugene, Ore. after capturing eighth place in a time of 30:00.54. The Michigan native’s senior season will continue at the NCAA Outdoor Championships next month.

Both Connor Claflin and Harrison Mcfann qualified for Friday’s 800m quarterfinal with top runs. Claflin placed second in Heat 2 with a time of 1:49.66 and McFann crossed the finish line in a time of 1:49.65 for fourth place in Heat 1.